Why Sensitivity

Randomizer can be
useful
This document is brought to you by Voltaic, and written by Sini & Prosper
The Sensitivity Randomizer is created by Whisper & El Bad
 Common Questions - Page 2

What is Sensitivity Randomizer? - Page 3

How Does Sensitivity Randomizer Work? - Page 3 - 4

Why Would You Use Sensitivity Randomizer? - Page 4

Where To Download ? - Page 4

Jon Hopkins Study - Page 5

Conclusion - Page 6

About the Authors - Page 6

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What about muscle memory?
Muscle Memory is a misleading term due to its misinterpreted connotation, while muscle memory does exist, we
tend to use other terms that more accurately characterise aspects of aiming (Voltaic, 2020). Aim training can
be better related to the continuous process of development described by motor learning. As such we prefer to
describe aim training methodology in relation to Motor learning (ScienceDirect, 2020).

Should I play games with sensitivity randomizer?

We recommend limiting the use of sensitivity randomizer to aim trainers alone since it can hinder performance.
You are probably thinking “how can something that will stunt my performance in game at the same time help
me improve?”. It is simple, the idea behind sensitivity randomizer is that you are giving your brain new input to
update pre existing information, so while you won’t be aiming your best your motor learning will be at its peak.

Wouldn’t changing DPI periodically apply the same effect?

Yes, Changing your sensitivity periodically will have the same effect and has been a commonly used method of
aim training for some time now, but it may not be as efficient as the sensitivity randomizer. The main reason for
this is because we are able to get accustomed to multiple sensitivities thereby making the method of different
inputs for reconsolidation less effective, it is also important to know that a large change in sensitivity will not
supply any benefit . The beauty of sensitivity randomizer is the fact that it constantly changes in a gradual
manner, which yields two benefits. Firstly, by never allowing us to autopilot on our mouse movement, it helps
us stay more engaged during our aim training session. Secondly, we guarantee that there is no possibility of
acclimating to sensitivity randomizer due to its unpredictability. In addition, sensitivity randomizer frees you
from the hassle of having to adjust your sensitivity.

Can I get banned using this?

This is completely safe when aim training and we recommend limiting the use of sensitivity randomizer solely to
aim trainers. If you do decide to use this application in game for your own reasons you do so at your own risk, so
please be cautious. It is important to know that Faceit blocks input interception so sensitivity randomizer will
not work there.

Can mouse acceleration work as an alternative?

Mouse acceleration isn't a proper substitute for sensitivity randomizer. This is because your sensitivity changes
input based on movement in relation to the speed of motion, while sensitivity randomizer doesn't need any
prerequisite for an alteration to occur. In short it is a change you can see coming and only moves in one
direction (up) , which makes it predictable. Unlike sensitivity randomizer which can speeden or lower your initial
sensitivity at any point in time, making it the perfect tool for reliable change and reconsolidation.

Will this add input lag?

No. The sensitivity randomizer uses the same underlying framework as Kovaak & Povohat’s mouse acceleration
tool. They have tested input lag here, and results indicate the framework does not add input lag. There have
been isolated cases of people claiming extra input lag, however no one has been able to verify this is actually
the case.

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 Sensitivity Randomizer is a tool that randomizes your sensitivity based on a certain time interval.
According to Whisper & El Bad (2020) the tool generates smooth or step-like, randomized sensitivity multiplier
curves around a baseline value. The goal of the tool is to understand the effects of varying mouse sensitivities
while aim training, many studies suggest this helps consolidate motor learnings significantly.

The Sensitivity Randomizer changes your sensitivity values by smoothly adjusting your DPI while
playing games or aim training, it is important to note the sensitivity of the mouse only alters during movement
but not at a still, this means your sensitivity will not change when picking up your mouse for a reset.

It works as follows:

New sensitivities are iteratively chosen using a Gaussian distribution and updated to be the mean of the next
iteration (Whisper & El Bad, 2020). In addition, a secondary smoothing algorithm is used to produce final
sensitivity values over time that follow the curved line seen in figure 1.

Figure 1: Smoothed Sensitivity Over Time

The red line in the above picture represents the smooth sensitivity multiplier over time (where you can see it
varies from roughly 0.25x to 3x your base sensitivity over 700 seconds). These curves are then used to directly
modify sensitivity using Interception

3
One of the most significant reasons why you would want to use a sensitivity randomizer is that if you perform
an action that you are already accustomed to then your brain is less likely to make significant changes to the
mind muscle connections it already has established. This is one of the core reasons why a randomizer is so
good as you are essentially never being continuously fed with stimuli that you are accustomed to.

Sensitivity Randomizer is an unorthodox method to train your aim. Logically, changing your sensitivity should
allow you to train different parts of your body more effectively, since there will be plenty of times where you
need to use your arm, wrist or fingers more. A sensitivity randomizer will allow you to do just that.

There are a few additional reasons as to why you should try out the Sensitivity Randomizer:
1. Muscle memory is overstated, it is a common misconception to believe that changing your sensitivity
will harm your progress and that you have to start from scratch, when you do so (Voltaic, 2020).
2. A formal study from John Hopkins Medicine (2016) shows that there are benefits to changing your
sensitivity, despite not being performed with the use of a computer mouse.
3. Anecdotal evidence from shooter players in the (Voltaic) community have shown that there are positive
results if you change your sensitivity for practice.

Cool, where do I get this tool?

You can visit the GitHub page to download the tool with the link underneath, make sure to read the readme text
for instructions!

> Click here to download the Sensitivity Randomizer tool

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 Research at John Hopkins suggests that a slight alteration in task is significantly more beneficial for
motor learning than the repetition of a single task that remains consistent. During this study a term called
“reconsolidation” comes up quite often and it is defined as the process of updating your memories with new
input. The reason for reconsolidation effectiveness isn’t known, in other words they know it produces results
but not certain as to what physiological process is behind it, this is a norm in neuroscience. Oftentimes we learn
what can produce results but don’t understand the entire process behind it from a physiological standpoint.
The study makes use of 86 volunteers and begins by splitting them into groups of three. Each group (see Table 1
below) is told to do the same task of moving a computer cursor across a monitor quickly and accurately with a
pinching device (not a mouse) but their training methodology differs. It is safe to assume the reason a
traditional mouse wasn’t used was so prior experience with mouse control from participants would not affect
the results, allowing this study to keep its integrity, you may think this poses an issue but it shouldn’t, since
what is being measured is motor learning overall not one specific aspect of it, in other words these results
should also hold true to aim training on a mouse and any other fine motor skill activity. It is important to know
sleep and time is vital for motor learning as well, and benefits are only seen on the following day of a practice
session. The first two sessions were taken on the same day usually 6 hours apart but all results were recorded
the next day, the study tested 8 different variations of training that interchanged initial testing phases with
modified sessions and even added shortened reactivation periods in some cases in an attempt to find what is
needed for reconsolidation to occur. This is a simplified summary of the study, a more in depth video explaining
all the details of the study will be released soon on the voltaic youtube channel.

A few keynotes from the study that shouldn’t be overlooked.

1) Improvement was greatest when modified sensitivity was introduced as a second session.
2) Benefits were only seen when training on the their regular settings as the first session of the day, this
means aim training on sensitivity randomizer alone may not yield any results you must aim train on
your regular sensitivity prior to sensitivity randomizer or any modification made to introduce instability
and allow reconsolidation to occur.
3) Immediate results weren’t seen during the study, improvement only came the following day.
4) The most notable and convenient pattern was the practice session on a base sensitivity at the start of
the day followed by a modified sensitivity session 6 hours laters.

Group 1 Group 2 Group 3

Training session 1 - 45 min All groups underwent same All groups underwent same All groups
(initial testing) task task underwent same
task

Training session 2 - 45 min Underwent same task as Underwent different task Skipped session 2
(modified session) session 1 from session 1 entirely
(no changes were made) (force application of mouse
was tweaked AKA sensitivity)

Testing Results - Taken Slight improvement Significant improvement No improvement

next day

Table 1: Hopkins Study Groups

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 Sensitivity randomizer has no hard evidence of supplying equal benefits as the practice of
reconsolidation seen in the study previously mentioned. This is only due to the fact that it has never been
tested in a controlled environment for reliable results.. Despite that, sensitivity randomizer in theory should be a
useful tool to introduce instability in practice sessions and has the chance of being even more effective since
the modification is forever changing allowing a larger amount of new information for reconsolidation and
eliminates the possibility of any acclimating to a modified session of aim training. In short, this application is
likely to work in the same way as the study previously mentioned and should be given a chance by everyone for
a brief period (a few days) before making any sort of judgement. At the very least it is wise to practice with
sessions that offer “instability” by just changing your sensitivity appropriately, for the effects of this are not
theoretical but certain.

The Sensitivity Randomizer tool has been created by Whisper and El Bad, two veterans in aim training. Both
have been training their aim for over a year now and have created various popular scenarios in KovaaK 2.0 (aim
trainer).

They have both achieved notable aim training achievements in the Voltaic discord and have a background with
scientific research. Whisper is currently working on a research paper for advanced physics and El Bad has a
bachelor's degree in Computer Science.

Prosper and Sini co-created this document and are part of Voltaic.

Voltaic is a self-improvement content team and community focused primarily on shooters; encompassing a
Discord server with nearly 36000 members and a twitter account with nearly 14000 followers. The Voltaic
Discord server is the most prominent sector of the Kovaaks-based aim training community and is responsible
for a significant portion of the free resources available to the Aim training community.

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Bibliography
1. John Hopkins Medicine. (2016, January 28). Want to Learn a New Skill? Faster? Change Up Your Practice
Sessions - 01/28/2016. Https://Www.Hopkinsmedicine.Org/.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/news/media/releases/want_to_learn_a_new_skill_faster_change_up_your_
practice_sessions
2. Whisper & El Bad. (2020, October 26). Whisperrr/SensitivityRandomizer. GitHub.
https://github.com/Whisperrr/SensitivityRandomizer
3. Voltaic. (2020, October 5). Why ‘muscle memory’ is seen as a meme in aiming - Voltaic. Medium.
https://medium.com/@voltaic/why-muscle-memory-is-seen-as-a-meme-in-aiming-ce36d3e2789e
4. ScienceDirect. (2013). Motor Learning - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/neuroscience/motor-learning